ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL AUTOGRAPH FEDERATION
The International Autograph Federation came into existence in 2002 and has traded successfully since its formation.
The IAF uniquely offers a genuine non-profit making worldwide authentication service to the public, autograph dealers and collectors safeguarding the industry from fake signatures.
Unlike many autograph bodies we DO NOT charge any fees for dealers or patrons to use our name. A fee is charged for certification that only covers the minimum costs involved. We feel that it would be very unfair to gain any monetary profits for helping the industry clean up fakes and forgeries. Many astute collectors and dealers have taken full advantage of this and offered their respective opinions. If the original and recorded buyer sells the item to another buyer. A new registration of the new owner’s details will be recorded and an updated certificate will be forwarded to them.
The IAF seeks the opinions of expert qualified personnel in relevant categories of memorabilia to qualify authenticity. Vast experience has been implemented without charge to its patrons for any membership fee.
The idea of the IAF is not in any way to endorse with the likes of the UACC or AFTAL in the UK; but to offer another option to collectors and dealers. Those who feel that some autograph bodies are purely there to make monetary gain from their name. Patrons of the IAF are proof of each dealer’s commitment and professional competence. The Code of Conduct commits each IAF patron to providing authentic items, with all the required knowledge, qualification and diligence that is demanded by the IAF. This ensures the strongest possible proof any collector can have when looking to buy authentic signed memorabilia.
The IAF’s CEO, has been collecting autographs since the late 1970's and has gained vast experience within the historical field. His time spent handling autographs in all other relevant areas is beneficial to his knowledge. In accepted terms he is certainly qualified as an ‘autograph expert’ From this base and further compounded experiences, gained over a lengthy period of time it is accurate to accept this expert opinion in regard to the authenticity of many categories s of signatures.
ABOUT AUTHENTICITY THE UNIQUE I.A.F. CERTIFICATION
The autograph/s on each item certified by the IAF have been physically and visually examined under the most rigorous scrutiny; Signature/s have been examined and screened to show consistent pen pressure and ink flow. Our thorough examination ensures that autograph(s) do not show any discrepancies in ink type, erasures, or masking. Letter size and other characteristics match other examples we have come to examine. The autograph(s) on each item is/are guaranteed by the IAF (International Autograph Federation) for the lifetime of this piece of memorabilia.
It is the professional opinion of The I.A.F. and its associated experienced consultants that the signature(s) relevant to the certificate is/are authentic. In a large percentage of signatures provide we are aware of the origination of the signature(s) seeking certification. These sources at times require anonymity for personal or corporate reasons. Our acceptance of this is professionally based. The methods of the IAF’s examination are strong and assiduous in all circumstances.
Since the initial advent of auction items on EBay, it is essential that in certification every authentication company must offer as much detail as possible to finalise the opinion on which the endorsement is given. In the IAF’s opinion ‘the industry’ moved forward into the present and future ten years ago with the advent of its own authenticated QR Coded memorabilia. This has led to a more innovative and clarifying system being used with immediate vision without the use of a QR Code scanner. Due to the devastating effect of Covid the company responsible for our sequence of QR coded numbers closed down.
This unique report of the IAF is scripted to offer a compact in-depth knowledge that substantiates the strength of the IAF and positives and negatives of the autograph industry. The IAF’s authentication is exceptional in its being. Should there be disparity, we will have pleasure in being able to provide you via the agent it was purchased from with a refund. To do so a report substantiating your judgement needs to be submitted. Thank you for your co-operation and understanding
SPECIFIC MEMORABILIA
The best form of authentication has been provided by the English Rugby Union, in which a series of shirts has been specifically made, numbered and then signed in order by the respective team or squad. An exclusive small metallic tag is sewn into the shirt which corresponds with the tag on the certificate issued.
Football players/and sometimes managers at times sign autographs following a game or at the training ground entrance before or following training. These signatures are completed usually in a rush. I have photographs shown to me where the player was ‘hurriedly signing ‘something’ maybe a shirt but it is only opinion that says whether the signature on the shirt being presented was the original shirt portrayed in the said picture.
EXPANDED GROWTH
The IAF’s authentication process is continually strengthened with its growth. The growth has led to new World Wide growth with British and internationally based members and collectors. These include many experienced professionals and people that are committed ensuring that ‘fake’ signatures are exposed and the respective supplier reported to the police. Where necessary experienced overseas collectors (U.S.A. Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Portugal and South Africa are asked their opinion with regard to the Authenticy, of the signed item(s) This is completed prior to the IAF’s assessment on arrival on the UK. Added strength to the surety of the existing authentication process is always appreciated.
INTERNATIONAL ACCEPTANCE
The greatest advancement has been in Asia. The IAF now sources and authenticates almost 90% of the memorabilia supplied to a very strong Asian connection. This can certainly be attributed the IAF’s member and Asian resident Peter Banner. Peter for the last twelve years of residency has fostered many relationships within the region’s charitable communities. The tours of Manchester United Legends Andrew Cole, Denis Irwin, Lee Sharpe & Clayton Blackmore; WBC Boxing Champion Frank Bruno MBE; World Middleweight & Super Middleweight Champion Nigel Benn, Arsenal and England Soccer legend Paul Merson have been organised by Peter Banner & his longstanding UK Based Colleague Ray Fisher. For greater efficiency the IAF has now established a base in Asia. This is largely due to the efforts of Peter Banner who with the added attraction of the celebrities and supportive bodies has generated excellent charitable income for many worthy organisations in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar.
SUCCESSFUL WORLDWIDE DEVELOPMENT
Regardless of the end destination; each and every signature involved and certified by the IAF has been in many cases sourced and but certainly meticulously examined prior to being forwarded to the end destination The signatures as stated in Certificate of Authenticity; will as always be authenticated in the UK by the procedures detailed above. All opinions received in the process will jointly be respected to ensure very strong and worldwide credibility. With the certificates that carry our International Autograph Federation logo means that the signature(s) purchased within that item of memorabilia has/have been certified as authentic prior to being passed onto the final supplier; auction company, autograph collector, charity fund raising agents. It is the responsibility of the relevant final sales agent to issue a Certificate of Authenticity bearing their own contact details for the purchaser to contact if they wish to do so.
UNCERTAIN VALUE OF PICTORIAL IMAGES.
Attendance that the seller acquired the signed item at a signing’ offers a limited amount of proof about the authenticity. Practical experiences gained over a twenty-year period promotes some cynicism ‘with the thoughts of “yes but did he/she really sign this item?” It is possible that yes Mike Tyson certainly signs a contracted number of gloves for his own autograph agency or the promoter at an event. There may well be a photograph of Mike Tyson signing ‘a glove’ But how do you know that ‘the glove’ you have bought; much later away from the venue came from that series of gloves Mike signed. It could be just a person who had a photo of Mike signing a glove that is not yours. The IAF has seen this happen many times. The industry is attractive to unscrupulous people who feel that they can make easy money with selling illegal forgeries.
EXAMPLE
An experienced IAF member toured with Mike Tyson and contractually produced memorabilia for three of Mike’s UK Tours. One experience gained was at one of the ‘illuminating’ dinners held in Mike’s honour. A paying guest bought the one available Mike Tyson signed replica WBC Heavy Weight Belt. Over the following weeks the buyer then bought another five unsigned replica belts from Cleto Reyes in Mexico. He falsely signed them and tried to sell them on line. This obviously led to his undoing as only the one sale on the night of the dinner was recorded and registered by the IAF. Also, the same person registered the six items with his insurance company. That person then performed his own administered ‘break-in’ scam. He then immediately reported the belts as stolen to the Police and claimed insurance of a fabricated amount The items thanks to an informer were located in a garage in a South Yorkshire town. The Insurance Company sought the aid of the IAF member for nonexistent proof of authenticity. The buyer’s details were re-confirmed from the IAF’s closely guarded international register.
INSTANT ACCESSIBILITY WITH EASE
The Certificate of Authenticity issued by the IAF carries its own immediate accessible detailed provenance of the certified item. An independent valuation is also attached giving the owner peace of mind and expectancy of the item’s growth in value. This is all defined in the attached QR Code. The IAF is the only company in the entire Worldwide field of Autograph certification to ascend to this unique level of assurance. Each item is recorded on the secure IAF Worldwide Owners Register The certificate is certainly deemed necessary by the insurance company for you to claim insurance should the item be stolen. If your original certificate is also lost in the disaster then we have the original QR Code on record.
POINT OF CONTACT
Peter Banner
Banner of Legends Memorabilia
T.W. Commercial Complex and Platinum Suites
506/56 Thepprasit Road
Jomtien
Chon Buri
Thailand 20150
Tel +(0) 66 85 434 5220
Email: information.iafederation@gmail.com